First Five Years of Practice

The new registrant year and those that follow can be among the most memorable for any midwife. There are challenges associated with entry into any new career, and midwifery is no exception. After years of training and learning, transitioning into clinical practice in Ontario can be both exciting and nerve-wracking. Not only are you providing excellent clinical care; you may be adjusting to life in a new community; you may be caring for your own family; and you're establishing your professionalism—let alone figuring out where you can find the best coffee at the local hospital!

Although midwifery in Ontario is growing steadily, many hospitals either cap the number of midwives who can have privileges or the total number of births midwives can attend—both of which severely limit a practice’s ability to bring on new midwives. For newer midwives working to meet the huge demand for midwifery care, barriers to obtaining hospital privileges can be especially frustrating. Even when new Midwifery Education Program graduates secure new registrant positions, there is no guarantee the practice will be able to keep the midwife on after their NR year if the local hospital has a cap on midwives or midwifery-attended births. This systems-level barrier can present challenges for midwives in their early years to secure long-term positions in the community of their choice. If you need help with hospital integration issues, please contact the AOM policy department.

If you joined the AOM as a student, you may already be aware of the host of resources and supports you can access for help with hospital integration or developing your professional profile. If not, review the benefits of membership, dig through our website and be sure to follow us on social media. We're here to support this special transition period from student midwife to midwife leader in your community!